The APG has asked NB's Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) to make a presentation on the technical assistance and training it provides, at the APG's July Plenary Meeting in Brisbane, Australia. Chief Inspector John Tse of JFIU will travel to Australia to deliver the presentation.

From June 15 to 26, at the invitation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), FI NB conducted two anti-money laundering courses (AML) in Hong Kong for law enforcement officers, financial intelligence officers and prosecutors from Vietnam. The courses consisted of sessions on both the theories and practices of fighting money laundering, covering Typologies, International AML Standards, Financial Investigation, Intelligence and International Co-operation. In addition, visits to other local law enforcement and regulatory agencies were also arranged.

Senior Inspector Ricky Wong Chung-on of JFIU, who made a presentation on "Development of Financial Intelligence", commented: "The response was very positive. The Vietnamese officers were very interested in our computerised system for suspicious transaction reporting (STREAMS) and the benefits it offers to our management of Suspicious Transaction Reports."

Mr Hon Chan, International Project Coordinator of the UNODC, thanked FI NB for organising "this valuable training course", and noted: "The Hong Kong Police is renowned for its advanced financial investigation and wide anti-money laundering systems. That is why UNODC has requested Hong Kong to host these training courses for the Vietnamese officers. The investigative skills acquired can certainly improve the officers' capabilities to combat money laundering."

Superintendent Nelson Cheng of FI NB commented: "As a member of the 'Providers Group', we have an obligation to provide training to our regional counterparts, and the Force has been very forthcoming in this regard. In fact, these courses go beyond our obligation. Mutual understanding has also been developed in the interest of international co-operation. Our counterparts treasure our expertise and FI NB is always prepared to help when we are able to do so."

On another occasion, JFIU received guests from Bank Negara Malaysia. It is the Central Bank of Malaysia, which also manages the financial intelligence unit in the country. At a meeting, officers of both financial intelligence units discussed and explored ways to further co-operation on sharing intelligence and experience. They also discussed money laundering trends and typologies of mutual concern.

Bank Negara Malaysia has also specifically requested JFIU to provide trainers for an Advanced Analyst Course to be held later this year in Kuala Lumpur.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has thanked Narcotics Bureau for conducting a valuable training course for Vietnamese officers